Inquest To Begin Into Father-Of-Two’s Death At York Hospital

Medical Negligence Specialists Instructed To Investigate Cause Of Death

02.12.2014

An inquest to investigate the death of a man who died at York Hospital after a delay in treatment being provided, is scheduled to begin in York on Wednesday 3rd December at 10:30am.

John Hatfield, 69, from York, was under long term treatment for Atrial Fibrillation, a relatively common condition which causes irregular rhythm in the heart, affecting around one in 20 adults over the age of 65. He was admitted to York Hospital on 1st May 2013 after vomiting blood and melena.

He was swiftly diagnosed with a gastrointestinal bleed, a common side effect of his medication, Warfarin. The drug, an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots, is taken by nearly one million people in the UK.

He suffered a cardiac arrest, from which he never regained consciousness, on 2nd May 2013, only 8 hours after admission, after medical staff at York Hospital failed to monitor him and delayed in providing basic life-saving treatment.

The hearing at York Coroner’s Court will be attended by John’s wife Madeline and children, Katie and Ben, who are currently taking legal action against the hospital through specialist medical negligence lawyers Irwin Mitchell.

Expert Opinion

Losing John so suddenly came as a terrible shock to his entire family who have been left completely devastated by his unexpected death. John was able and fit prior to his internal blood loss, travelling regularly and long distance walking. He was well enough to walk in to the Emergency Department. The Serious Untoward Incident Report compiled by the Trust indicates a number of failings in the care afforded to John in the time prior to his death.

“Although nothing will bring him back, the family cannot begin to move on until they have more answers. They very much hope that the inquest will shed more light on the circumstances which led to John’s death.”

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